Señorita Francisca Cruz thanks the Virgin of Juquila, with this little humble retablo, for giving her the talent of making tehuana blouses and dresses. Locals are buying them for the traditional dances, and they are also valued among domestic and foreign tourists.

Juchitan, Oaxaca

Since I lost my job and we didn’t have enough money to pay our rent, my wife and I had to move with her mother. My mother-in-law was a dressmaker, and she didn’t like that I stayed in her house doing nothing. So she asked me to be her model. I thank Saint Sebastian for my friends and relatives never found out that I was trying on dresses, so I kept it in secret.

Guillermo R. \ Merida, Yucatan

I thank Saint Martin the Cavalryman for helping me out with my job. Thanks to my job as a dressmaker I could support my daughter who is about to finish her secretary studies. I dedicate this humble retablo for that.

Gregoria Cuautle
Puebla de los Angeles

I came back from my aunt earlier than I had thought and I caught my husband in our bed hugging this shameless dressmaker Rosa. I wanted to kill them with the kitchen knife, but the Virgin of San Juan retained my hand. I thank the Virgin because I didn’t commit a murder. But I took the broom and gave the bastards a good trashing though.

With infinite gratitude I dedicate this retablo to the Virgin of San Juan because thanks to my job as a dressmaker I could support my daughter Clarita who is going to finish her secretary courses.

Eduviges Valdes